Classic & Vintage - Battaglin Found at LBS - For sale

I found this 83'-ish Battaglin at my LBS. They got it as a trade-in (who would do that?). I'm considering it, since my current foray into Battaglin buying wasn't as successful as I hoped: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/700571-Battaglin-Frame-Alex-CroMo-Tubing?highlight=battaglin+alex

I'm still going to build up the Alex framed one, but I'm also still on the lookout for that dream bike.

This one is close. Columbus framed (forgot to see if it's SL or SLX) - in moderate condition. Gipiemme dropouts, crankarm/chainring brakes and FD. Champagnolo RD, brake levers, Headset, seatpost etc. It's mostly complete except for the Mavic rims on period-correct Specialised hubs.

The guy's asking $750 and can't budge on the price because of the trade-in. Am I crazy? I could get a pair of record hubs for the wheelset, but I'd be in deep.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5258/5411267056_59705e1cb4_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5260/5410654359_cc626255c5_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/5410654529_b92442daed_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5019/5411267506_fcd3159ca7_b.jpg

It's a nice bike but I don't think I'd pay that much for it.

It seems a bit expensive compared to what you'd pick up online. But it is lovely and won't last long on the floor of your LBS...Decisions decisions.

It seems a bit expensive compared to what you'd pick up online. But it is lovely and won't last long on the floor of your LBS...Decisions decisions.

+1. You could get a full Super Record bike for the price.

I agree if it was all SR that would be one thing. no way the store owner is into that for $750 unless he is dummer than the guy who traded it.
also this FD setup looks real bogus. like a hole was drilled into the frame and brazeon FD was bent and made to fit.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/5410654529_b92442daed_b.jpg

Know not much about Battaglin but it's a nice eclectic mix of components. The Simplex FD uses a less common braze-on. Keep this in mind if you want to go full Campy down the road. The brake calipers look like rebranded Modolo Pro, which was, IMO, some of the finest of the era.

If it really speaks to you slap $600 on the counter and see what happens...That seems reasonable if the experts around here can tell you it's a higher end Battaglin frame.

BG, the Peugeot PSV10 uses a similar setup. I think the FD is factory.

BG, the Peugeot PSV10 uses a similar setup. I think the FD is factory.

still looks kind of cheesy to me.

on the whole I think it is a great looking bike. I have been interested in Battaglins ever since I hacksawed a escargo style shifter boss off a customer's TT frame. perhaps I am destin to rescue on some day.

BG, the Peugeot PSV10 uses a similar setup. I think the FD is factory. It's the same FD, just with a Gipiemme label. My PSV has the similar model



http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff169/72tunaboat/IMG_3836.jpg

$500

$500

Yes, this is the right price.

Nice bike though.

you're probably the only one that is going to ask about the bike. come back in 2 months with vjp's offer.

you're probably the only one that is going to ask about the bike. come back in 2 months with vjp's offer.

He said he's had a couple of people interested, but no biters.

If you have Italian bike lust, you have better options at that price, as others have said. If this is the only bike you desire, then it's probably be worth it. But if the love ever fades, don't expect to get 100% of your investment back.

That said, looks like a very clean bike, and I like the Gipiemme branded components. Too bad it's got a Super Record RD...so boring. :)

There's this one too: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170593362137#ht_737wt_1141

This one is close. Columbus framed (forgot to see if it's SL or SLX) -

Could also be Columbus Aelle. My Battaglin, which looks a similar vintage/model with campgnolo victory group, is (at least the very faded original looking frame sticker says so)!

P.S. picked mine up for free off hard rubbish!

And this one too: http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/bik/2192051153.html

Could also be Columbus Aelle. My Battaglin, which looks a similar vintage/model with campgnolo victory group, is (at least the very faded original looking frame sticker says so)!

P.S. picked mine up for free off hard rubbish!

I rarely have that much luck these days! Score!

There's this one too: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170593362137#ht_737wt_1141


And this one too: http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/bik/2192051153.html

From a collector's perspective, they're overpriced, too. And they're the same bike.

Not worth it. Obviously, this frame originally came with Gipiemme throughout; it would probably have had a Gipiemme-badged Simplex SX 610 RD on it.

Mid-level componentry = mid-level frame. Aelle is possible or Tretubi (3-tubes SL). Heck, Cromor isn't out of the question.

EDIT: Quite a few Gipiemme-equipped bikes in the following Battaglin catalog: http://www.bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalogs/battaglin/ - never heard of Columbus Z or K.L. though. At any rate, I dare say the catalog pre-dates this particular bike by 5 years or so.

-Kurt

From a collector's perspective, they're overpriced, too. And they're the same bike.

i know!:D I wanted to see if anyone noticed. What price would you offer for this one?

It's all about what makes you happy, if you got the $ go for it.

In a large market like seattle there has got to be a better bike for the same money. or on the net.

In a large market like seattle there has got to be a better bike for the same money. or on the net.

You'd think. I went and talked to the guy today. He seemed pretty rigid on the price, although I didn't push it. I did ask him if they would throw in a free fitting if I paid the asking price. They said they would.

still looks kind of cheesy to me.

on the whole I think it is a great looking bike. I have been interested in Battaglins ever since I hacksawed a escargo style shifter boss off a customer's TT frame. perhaps I am destin to rescue on some day.

Hmmpphh...That's the 80's French style brazed on FD system. It wasn't that "cheesy" as one might think as the Gitane factory team used it for their TDF bikes at one time when they were rinning Mavic SSC drivetrains that had FDs that worked with this braze on. I think I even remember seeing TDF pictures of Greg Lemond (or was it Fignon?) with the setup. I think this system is actually stronger than the Italian style slotted brazed on steel tabs of the same vintage, but maybe not as flexible to accept different dirvetrain brands as most of the industry did not follow the French standards at that point. But I think it did provide a cleaner mounting solution than the Italian style braze on tab. The French system just died out with french component industry in the late 80's. I think it was just a case of VHS vs. Betamax. Other component manufacturers followed the lead of Campy to do the italian style brazed-on FD as there was no point competing with the French system as they were pretty much gone at that time.

Chombi

You'd think. I went and talked to the guy today. He seemed pretty rigid on the price, although I didn't push it. I did ask him if they would throw in a free fitting if I paid the asking price. They said they would.

What if they tell you you need a different size frame? :)

Am I crazy?

It is over-priced by about $300

Instead of asking for a fitting, ask him to fully overhaul the bike. Complete tear down including wheelset with full rebuild, relace, repack, new ball bearings, cables, housings, hoods etc. Heck, it's the least he could do! He sounds like a savy salesman who knows you've dropped by twice, you like it and he's asking more because of the "LBS" mystique. He doesn't have to do anything that a normal LBS does for a new bike though! He figures it'll just be a matter of time before you cave in.

Throwing in a "fitting" on a bike like that is useless. Will he find a vintage seatpost, saddle, stem and cranks if it doesn't quite fit right? No! You can raise and lower your own saddle and stem right? Done.